Volume 1, Chapter 25: Blossoms Everywhere, The Consecutive Ascension Assemblies

Similar scenes were unfolding across the major cities of Tianjue Island.

Within a single day, nearly all the goods in the Langya branches across the island had been snatched up in a frenzy. Passersby who were unaware of the situation could only click their tongues in wonder.

Meanwhile, Wang Mu, accompanied by Li Yuanhua and others, arrived at Wanchong Island. This was another major island in the inner sea, only slightly smaller than Tianjue Island, yet its population and the number of cultivators were roughly the same. The island’s ruling Huang clan was also presided over by a patriarch at the Transformation Stage.

When Wang Mu, riding a golden lion and leading a grand entourage, arrived above Wanchong Island, the Huang clan patriarch, Huang Xiao, was already waiting respectfully with his kin.

"I, along with the members of the Huang clan, welcome the Young Master!"

"Rise."

Wang Mu descended calmly from the back of the golden lion. His green robes shifted slightly, and his face was as smooth as white jade, making him appear like a young immortal stepped out from a scroll. Many members of the Huang clan stole glances from within the crowd. Seeing this, they could not help but sigh; although the reputation of the Wang family's Young Master was notoriously poor, he certainly possessed the demeanor of a scion from a grand immortal lineage.

Huang Xiao stepped forward, his manners impeccable. "I have prepared a banquet; I invite the Young Master to grace us with his presence!"

Wang Mu waved his hand. "No need. Let us attend to business first."

Huang Xiao was momentarily stunned.

Li Yuanhua spoke up at the right moment: "The Young Master has come to Wanchong Island for the Immortal Ascension Assembly."

Huang Xiao immediately realized his mistake and hurried to say, "The Young Master may rest assured. I have already given the orders. As soon as you give the word, the Immortal Ascension Assembly can begin at any time!"

With that, Huang Xiao respectfully presented a jade slip. It clearly recorded over thirty of the best locations on Wanchong Island for testing aptitude. Wang Mu took it and read it carefully, but his brow soon furrowed.

"The location chosen for the Wuzhuang City testing site is poor."

"Why so?"

Huang Xiao glanced at it, failing to see the issue. "That is the most prosperous city within a hundred-mile radius!"

Wang Mu replied, "Prosperity is not a necessary requirement for a testing site."

"Ah?" Huang Xiao still did not understand.

Li Yuanhua coughed twice and explained, "What the Young Master means is that Wuzhuang City is surrounded by vast mountains on three sides, and the fourth side faces a great river. Most of those who need to have their spiritual roots tested are from commoner families. For them to reach Wuzhuang City, they would have to trek through mountains and rivers. It is not just exhausting; it takes too long, and the efficiency is far too low."

Huang Xiao finally understood, his old face flushing with embarrassment for failing to foresee such a simple problem.

Wang Mu said slowly, "Old Master Huang has not lived as a mortal for many years, so it is natural to overlook such things."

As a Transformation Stage cultivator who had not traveled on foot for at least a thousand years, how could he possibly consider things from the perspective of a mortal? The city he had chosen was one established by cultivators. While prosperous, it was practically unreachable for the local mortals, who would have to cross vast mountain ranges, risk being eaten by wild beasts, and cross a great river just to arrive. As a testing site, it was naturally a complete failure.

What surprised Huang Xiao was that although the Wang family's Young Master was also unable to cultivate and possessed a mortal body, he traveled with a mount capable of Transformation Stage power and was surrounded by a large number of strong experts—his display was grander than that of their own Transformation Stage cultivators—yet he could still view matters from the perspective of a mortal. Was the rumor true? Was the Young Master of the Wang family truly not just playing around with this Immortal Ascension Assembly?

...

"Besides Wuzhuang City, Zemu City, Dafeng City... all these places must be re-selected!"

"Understood!" Seeing Wang Mu's meticulous expression, Huang Xiao nodded, his heart feeling rather complicated.

Wang Mu commanded, "Old Li, help coordinate this. Be quick!"

Li Yuanhua replied respectfully, "Yes!"

After giving his instructions, Wang Mu climbed onto the back of the golden lion. Huang Xiao hurried to ask, "Is the Young Master leaving already? You haven't had a meal yet!"

"No time! The Immortal Ascension Assemblies on the other three islands are also about to begin; I must go and see them."

As soon as he finished speaking, the golden lion let out a low roar. Its body grew in the wind, reaching a size of several zhang, before it stepped into the void and vanished into the sea of clouds.

Watching the fading figure, Huang Xiao stood dazed, unable to process it all.

Li Yuanhua bumped his shoulder. "Stop staring blankly and get to work, Fellow Daoist Huang!"

Huang Xiao asked, puzzled, "Fellow Daoist Li, the Young Master is holding Immortal Ascension Assemblies in other places as well?"

Li Yuanhua nodded. "Indeed. Counting my Tianjue Island, there are five islands in total, all of similar size."

Huang Xiao smacked his lips. "Five islands holding an Immortal Ascension Assembly at the same time—the expenses must be significant, no?"

"I don't know the exact figure, but... the Young Master has already spent at least ten million low-grade spirit stones on my Tianjue Island alone!"

"..."

Ten million low-grade spirit stones was not an amount that someone of their Transformation Stage could not afford. If they encountered a favorite magical treasure or a rare heavenly material at an auction, they could afford to spend several times that amount. But the problem was that money should be spent where it counts! To throw it all away like this—even the wealthy shouldn't waste money so recklessly.

No matter how hard Huang Xiao racked his brain, he could not understand the benefit to the Wang family in making such a massive spectacle of this Immortal Ascension Assembly. He had even heard that even if good talents were found, Wang Mu would not take them, leaving them all to be snatched up by other small sects. What exactly was he after? Just for a good reputation?

"The Young Master stands at a different height than us! His vision and realm are not the same; we just need to do our jobs!" Li Yuanhua's expression suddenly turned serious. "But I can tell you one thing: the Young Master is serious about this Immortal Ascension Assembly. Do not mess it up; otherwise, don't blame me for not warning you—the consequences will be very severe!"

Huang Xiao: "..."

...

In the following time, Wang Mu visited Yuzhu Island, Qingya Island, and Zhaixing Island, personally overseeing the preparations for the Immortal Ascension Assemblies. From the selection of every testing site to the minor details of the assembly's flow, Wang Mu gave instructions for everything. If there was even the slightest issue, he demanded immediate rectification.

Wang Mu was determined to continue this endeavor, and the scope of its influence would only grow larger in the future. Starting from these five islands, it would radiate outward until it covered the entire Northern Region, the entire Cangyuan, and perhaps even wider lands. Therefore, the foundation had to be solid, and there could be no deviations.

Although the various factions scoffed at Wang Mu's actions, viewing them as another case of the Young Master being a spoiled spendthrift, it wasn't their family fortune he was wasting. Furthermore, judging by his approach on Tianjue Island, this assembly was essentially a gift to the major factions! The talents identified were almost all divided up by the major forces on each island. It was a windfall that had fallen from the sky—why wouldn't they participate?

And so, all parties cooperated with genuine sincerity.